Dean chases special national jersey

Tour de France cyclist Julian Dean (Team Slipstream) wants desperately to keep his black and white kiwi jersey. The Rotorua rider will defend his New Zealand title at the BikeNZ National Road Championships in Hawkes Bay this weekend, with the winner entitled to wear the national jersey in European competition this year. Dean, recovering from off-season surgery, knows it will be a tough assignment. "I really want to win the title again so I can wear the New Zealand jersey in Europe. It's great for me, for our sport and our country," said Dean.

"I think everyone really benefits and another year with it will really solidify us as a cycling nation in Europe," he added. "It is so distinctive and so many people in Europe know and identify with New Zealand. It was absolutely amazing. I am just a rider in a team but when I wore the New Zealand jersey as the national champion so many people commented or came up and spoke to me."